Stamp Hunting

January 22, 2018 by Stanley Gibbons

Nimrod suggests some stamps worth looking for.

Kenya

We begin with the 1963 Independence issue (SG1/14). Although not to every collector’s taste, stylistically, supplies of this set in fine unmounted mint condition are starting to dwindle. The same is true of the 1966 Wildlife issue on chalk-surfaced paper (20/35), however it is the corresponding set on glazed, ordinary paper that is proving the more difficult to acquire, especially in fine used condition, with the 5s (33a) notably elusive.

Glazed, ordinary paper set stamps from the 1966 Wildlife issue are proving more diffi cult to acquire, especially fi ne used. Look out for the elusive 5s.

Odd values from the 1964 Inauguration issue (15/19) are in demand from thematic collectors, particularly the 50c. and 1s.30 values, and this should result in an increase for the set as whole. The 1971 Shells issue (36/52a) has never really been considered scarce, as attention has always focused on the 50c. and 70c. values with corrected inscriptions (43, 46). However, I have noticed a slight increase in demand over the last decade or so, and this should eventually lead to higher catalogue prices for the unmounted mint set, although not for the used set price, as cancelled to order sets are still very plentiful.

The 50c. and 1s.30 from the 1964 Inauguration issue are popular with thematic collectors. As a result, this should see an increase in price for the whole set.

The 1975 surcharges (53/55) were not (to the best of my knowledge) supplied cancelled to order, consequently fi ne used are relatively scarce, with the 40s. on 20s. (55) looking a little under-priced at the present time.

The same is true of the 1977 Black and African Festival of Arts miniature sheet in mint condition (MS80), and also the 1977 Endangered Species issue and miniature sheet (96/100, MS101). The 1977 Minerals issue (107/21) has, I feel, reached a plateau and shouldn’t see any further increases to the unmounted mint, although the set does remain tricky to assemble in postally used (i.e. non-cancelled to order) condition, with the high values in particular prone to surface damage.

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